Columbia Signs Lauze, Hurtubrise

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Columbia Inferno announced that they have signed defenseman Philippe Lauze and center Mark Hurtubise.

The Inferno is the ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

In his first professional season in 2004-05, the 6-foot-2 and 235-pound Lauze, who will turn 22 on October 16, had 27 points (7g-20a) in 55 regular season games and three points (1g-2a) in 15 playoff games with Laredo of the Central Hockey League.

The 21-year-old Hurtubise has played the last four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Quebec and Val-d-Or Foreurs, scoring 161 points (63g-98a) in 247 regular season games and 16 points (10g-6a) in 25 playoff games.